ALTERNATIVES PREGNANCY CENTER
Colorado Amendment 79: Constitutional Right to Abortion - Everything You Need To Know
On November 5, 2024, Colorado voters passed Amendment 79 and enshrined the right to abortion into the state constitution. While we had hoped for a different outcome, we must now move forward with what the voters decided.
How does the passage of Amendment 79 impact Alternatives?
Before the passage of Amendment 79, Alternatives was seeing an increase in the demand for our services. We expect the need for Alternatives will remain as critical as ever. Alternatives will continue as a safe and trusted environment to process pregnancy decisions.
- We will continue to serve each person with excellent care and compassion through free and confidential medical services, counseling, education, mentoring and post-abortive care for teens, women and men in our community.
- We will continue to address the issue of maternal mortality by offering access to early healthcare for all pregnant women.
- We will continue to assist those facing barriers to financial stability, quality childcare, equitable housing and transportation.
- We will continue to offer holistic care for the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health of each unique person that we have the privilege to serve.
Do you know where the recent overturn of Roe v. Wade has left Colorado?
The recent federal Supreme Court decision on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization to overturn Roe v. Wade has left abortion laws up to individual states. While waiting for a decision, Colorado legislators moved swiftly to strengthen the already liberal abortion laws and introduced The Reproductive Health Equity Act (RHEA) or HB22-1279 on March 3, 2022.
In Colorado, pro-abortion legislators passed the RHEA, which codifies a person’s fundamental right to abortion access by the state’s constitution. The bill was signed into law by Governor Polis on April 4, 2022.
Here’s everything you need to know about Reproductive Health Equity Act (RHEA)…
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Everything You Need to Know
National conversation in recent months has centered around abortion, especially with the recent overturn of Roe V. Wade. With recent Supreme Court decision on the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case, which challenged and overturned the historical abortion ruling, the national landscape around abortion has changed dramatically.
There are two major cases to understand as they relate to future abortion legality across the country and the upcoming Supreme Court decision.
Roe v. Wade was a landmark 1973 decision that ruled abortion as a constitutional right. In this case, the Supreme Court ruled that a woman’s choice to have an abortion outweighs the state’s concern for prenatal life up until the “point of viability”, or the point when a fetus can survive outside the womb (in 1973, this was determined to be 24-28 weeks).
In more pro-life states, laws are being passed to limit abortions if Roe v. Wade is overturned. But in Colorado, lawmakers moved quickly to protect and extend already liberal abortion rights.
In Colorado, abortion is now a protected right at all stages of pregnancy. The Reproductive Health Equity Act (RHEA) is concerning for various reasons but the language stating “a fertilized egg, embryo or fetus does not have independent or derivative rights under the laws of the state” takes away all protections of the preborn. The bill holds many implications for those of us who believe in the scientific truth that life begins at conception.
The Supreme Court revoked its 1973 ruling that abortion is a constitutional right, regardless of state law. The battle for rights has been returned to each state.
In Colorado, this means that abortion is still considered a constitutional right at all stages of pregnancy. It is more important than ever to provide care and support for pregnant moms so that they can choose life. Studies show that if abortion is not available, many choose life rather than seek an abortion, providing an excellent opportunity for pregnancy centers support these women.
What does this mean to the work of Alternatives? Good question. It can feel like we are fighting an uphill battle. However, we know the TRUTH that women and men facing an unplanned pregnancy decision need help and support – no matter the political landscape. In addition to increased needs in Colorado, it is expected that many will travel to Colorado for abortion access from neighboring states.
Women need to find Alternatives before they visit an abortion clinic. They need to know there is support, education and resources available so they do not have to choose between their career and the life of their unborn! The programs and services of Alternatives are needed now more than ever.
Alternatives Executive Director, Linda Pace Saccomano joined over 350 pro-life advocates who testified in opposition to the legislation in front of the House Health & Insurance Committee on March 9. Linda then spoke to a rally on the State Capitol steps where hundreds of people who support women, men and the pre-born gathered to make their voices heard.
What does this mean to the work of Alternatives? Good question. It can feel like we are fighting an uphill battle. However, we know the TRUTH that women and men facing an unplanned pregnancy decision need help and support – no matter the political landscape. The programs and services of Alternatives are needed now more than ever. Women need to find Alternatives before they visit an abortion clinic. They need to know there is support, education and resources available so they do not have to choose between their career and the life of their unborn!
Everything You Need to Know
Amendment 79 prohibits any state or local government from denying, impeding or discriminating against the right to abortion access.
In Colorado, there are no restrictions on when during a pregnancy abortions are allowed, and the amendment prevents the legislature from adopting abortion restrictions in the future.
The amendment also amends the Colorado Constitution on using public money to pay for abortions. Insurance plans for Colorado’s government employees could cover abortions. It will also allow Medicaid, the government insurance plan for those with low incomes, to pay for abortions.
Roe v. Wade was a landmark 1973 decision that ruled abortion as a constitutional right. In this case, the Supreme Court ruled that a woman’s choice to have an abortion outweighs the state’s concern for prenatal life up until the “point of viability”, or the point when a fetus can survive outside the womb (in 1973, this was determined to be 24-28 weeks).
In more pro-life states, laws are being passed to limit abortions if Roe v. Wade is overturned. But in Colorado, lawmakers moved quickly to protect and extend already liberal abortion rights.
Abortion is legal in Colorado at all stages of pregnancy. There are no term restrictions as to when a pregnancy can be terminated.
The Supreme Court revoked its 1973 ruling that abortion is a constitutional right, regardless of state law. The battle for rights has been returned to each state.
In Colorado, this means that abortion is still considered a constitutional right at all stages of pregnancy. It is more important than ever to provide care and support for pregnant moms so that they can choose life. Studies show that if abortion is not available, many choose life rather than seek an abortion, providing an excellent opportunity for pregnancy centers support these women.
What does this mean to the work of Alternatives? Good question. It can feel like we are fighting an uphill battle. However, we know the TRUTH that women and men facing an unplanned pregnancy decision need help and support – no matter the political landscape. In addition to increased needs in Colorado, it is expected that many will travel to Colorado for abortion access from neighboring states.
Women need to find Alternatives before they visit an abortion clinic. They need to know there is support, education and resources available so they do not have to choose between their career and the life of their unborn! The programs and services of Alternatives are needed now more than ever.
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Being Pro-Life in a Post Roe v. Wade World
After the supreme court overturned Roe v. Wade, the work of pro-life activists got even more important as abortion laws became determined state by state. In Colorado where Alternatives works, women began traveling from nearby states to receive a legal abortion. More women than ever before need access to support in order to be empowered to choose life.
Join the newsletter to stay updated on Alternatives work to support women in providing a meaningful alternative to abortion.
Alternatives Pregnancy Center offers women a network of support so comprehensive and caring so that every woman can be fully informed of her alternatives before making a decision. We offer resources for pregnancy and parenting so that women are supported before and after birth.
